Daily Excelsior... Editorial

EDITORIAL

Guru Nanak's Birth
Anniversary On Nov 19
Thus spake Guru Nanak

By Lt Col & H S Bali (Retd)

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh religion was born in Talwandi, a small village in Sheikhpura District (now in Pakistan) in the second half of the fifteen century A.D.

Some of this great guru are:.....more

National Integration Day Nov 19
National Integration still a distant goal

By Lt Col R K Langar

Packaging the economy

By Dr R L Bhat

Development and economy are admittedly the backbone of every progress. No development can take place without a robust economy and no economy can call itself healthy without the ......more

EDITORIAL

No interference

The Prime Minister's declaration that they had no intention to interfere in the affairs of the State Government comes on the top of a number of similar statements by him and the deputy Prime Minister. Even when the Government was still aforming, due to difference between the two main partners in the coalition, the Central Government had taken an impartial stand allowing the parties to come to terms on their own, to take their decisions and make adjustments. At one stage during those days, the Deputy Prime Minister declared they had no objection to even a minority Government lead by the Congress being sworn in, if the party could so manage to rule. That is as objective and non-partisan as one could get. Of course, that is all in keeping with the democratic ethos of the nation. Parties and persons try their means, of course, but there is nothing illegal, nothing underhand there. The Governments are formed under law and function as per the law. And the Government need not reiterate its impartiality, but the atmosphere has been so unnecessarily pitched high that the assurances are sometimes needed.

Take the question of 'free and fair' election. The Prime Minister declared that there would a free and fair election. And, all concede, that the promise was honourably kept. But there, people forget that it is not the Prime Minister or some functionary of the Government as declares or ensures it. It is the Election Commission, a statutory body in its own right that does it. That body can and does defy the Union Government as it did, on the issue of Gujarat elections, about the time the elections in J&K were being held. The Government went up to the Supreme Court but could not get the Election Commission to hold the elections in Gujarat at the time it wanted. Today, it is the same Election Commission that is calling the shots there and the BJP Governments both at the Center and the State are looking on helplessly. That is how it should be. That is how it is. The Government cannot go against the Constitutional provisions and the Constitutional organs would not allow it to do so even if it wanted to. For this Constitution is not anybody's fancy, and this law is nobody's fool. Those who try to insinuate against this scheme and sovereignty, invoking imaginary interference and promising defiance, are not being true either to the people or to themselves. Often they have other axes to grind, other truths to hide and use the center as a mere excuse.

Of course, the union has powers over the State Government. They have the Constitutional duty to see that the Constitutional provisos are not violated, that the sovereignty and the integrity of the nation are not compromised or threatened. That is an obligation they have to fulfill or else they would themselves be violating the Constitution. Short of that there is nothing to impede a State Government from working in the interest of the people in spheres allotted to it. Those spheres in the case of Jammu and Kashmir are already too wide. There is no reason there for the State Government to go on a spree of union bashing. The remarks recently attributed to the Chief Minister would fall in that category of uncalled-for-center-bashing. Of course, they have subsequently been denied. The point to be made is that there is no occasion for the throwing the blames around. There should not be any causeless ghost-raising, either. Honourable men and women do not do that; they apply themselves to the tasks at hand. Let nobody else, do it.

Swearing the sworn!

Of course, such things can happen only in that Jinnahian concoction that he claimed he had created with the help of his secretary and typewriter. Thus the person, who has already taken half a dozen oaths there, has been sworn in again as the President. But then, had he not been sworn in as the same president one and an half years ago? And, there is no evidence that he did anytime resign from the job. But such nuances are not very material there. There does not seem to be much that really matters, though. Thus when the whole world was looking to a tailored National Assembly being called to take the oath it was told that the oath had already been taken, not by the members but the already sworn president, presumably to begin the 'new' term as president. Never ask what was wrong with the old term, did it get terminated or anything. Chances are that you would be told that was not real, having been done to befool India on the eve of Agra, you may even hear loud guffaws at how wittily India was fooled. Yes, that morbid humor is not very unthinkable there and may even get the sagging prez a few rating points.

Or, is it all being done for the SAARC, as the last swearing was done for the India visit, to brow beat the Taj Mahal into standing up for a real president and not some soap factory's chief executive? One doesn't know. As it happens none else knows. The rulers there are fond of keeping all the cards, even laws and regulation, close to their chests so that they can be suitably modified as and when the need arises. The ironic part is when the recruits of the agencies of that Government and rule proclaim to the wide world they reject the Indian dispensation, that they should be allowed to reject the legal accession and allowed to fashion a democracy and self-rule on these very democratic lines for the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Without, of course, asking the consent of the people of the State, without taking them into consideration or account. For the people, their consents and considerations do not matter in that dispensation. So it was no surprise that they rejected the widely participatory elections in the State, rejected those members and refused to accept the verdict of the people. For they know not the true from the false, the real from the farce. And cannot, therefore, tell them apart.

Guru Nanak's Birth Anniversary On Nov 19
Thus spake Guru Nanak

By Lt Col & H S Bali (Retd)

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh religion was born in Talwandi, a small village in Sheikhpura District (now in Pakistan) in the second half of the fifteen century A.D.

Some of this great guru are:

On God & His Realisation

"There is but one God. The eternal, all pervading Divine Spirit;

The Creator, the supreme being, Without fear, without enmity,

Immortal Reality, Unborn, self existent,

He can be realised through Grace of Guru"

(Guru Nanak: Japji)

The Guru, in his profound wisdom, has ordained that the true follower, shall seek the support and shelter of One God alone, who is the Creator, Sustainer of the entire creation and who is the source of all life, knowledge and wisdom.

The Creator alone was turn in the beginning and true in the primal ages. True He is and true He shall ever be. He is not incarnated. He is eternal Lord and is the true Enlightener. To such omnipotent and benevolent God alone, one must supplicate and surrender his entire 'self.

He who path Created thee & Hath created universe

By the Guru's grace dwell Thou on Him, the Infinite Lord.

(Guru Nanak)

Where is God? How to find Him? What is the way to Him? To this the Guru has the following answer:-

"Why does thou go to the forest in search of God?

He lives in all, is yet ever distinct, He abides by thee too,

As frangrance dwells in flower, Or reflection in the mirror

So does God dwell inside everything, Seek Him, therefore, in thy heart"

(Guru Teg Bahadur - Rag Dhansari)

Guru always takes care to say that Salvation is possible through Sat Guru only. Sat-Guru is the Guru, that lives for ever and ever and never dies. True and perfect Guru thus cannot be common occurrence.

Guru is the Jot (Divine spirit) manifested in the person of Guru Nanak and not the body of Guru Nanak. Though blessed was the body too in which the Divine spirit was enshrined. As per Nanak, the Guru's birth is thus manifestation of Divine spirit and not the incarnation.

Concept of Divine Word (Name or Gurbani)

"O Lalo! As comes the Divine word to me, so do I Narrate it'

(Guru Nanak: Tilang Rag)

'I say that "He" commandeth me to say'

(Guru Nanak: Suhi Rag)

'Yea; I have said what thou my Lord, inspired me to say'

(Guru Nanak: Rag Wadhans)

'The Gurbani is the Guru, And the Guru Gurbani

The Gurus word is full of life giving Elixir

Whosoever shall obey, what the word Commands

Verily he shall get Salvation.'

(Guru Ram Dass: Rag Nut)

As the man thus continues to practice the practice of God and sings His praises (devotional songs), a day comes when veil of 'egoism', that blurs the vision of truth and reality is completely lifted. And by the grace of Guru (Divine Master), the soul of man comes in blissful contact with the Supreme Soul already within him. He becomes one with God and its not after death, but now and here.

The concept of Dharma

As per Guru, truth,love and righteousness, should prevail as guideline in one's life time and he should live in accord with His Moral Laws. In simple words it means that, men should live in every day life in the moral and religious plane i.e. he should conform to the highest ethical and moral standards. Every man has to achieve self fulfillment in this sense society should help promote that end and not hinder it. Further, as per Guru, Society as a whole, should be built on justice and liberty and all maladjustments should be removed. This concept of equality and liberty applies to the whole of mankind, irrespective of caste, country, race, religion and colour. Thus mans true development implies not merely the material or the physical aspects of his being nor even the intellectual or the aesthetic aspects but above all else, the moral and spiritual aspects. This is the way for bring about what may be called the 'Raj of Dharma' in this Dharam Khand, designed as such, by the Creator Himself.

The concept of love of Humanity/God

'If a man sings of God and hears of Him
And let love of God sprout within him,

His all sorrow shall depart,
And in the Soul, God will create abiding peace'

(Guru Nanak: Jap Ji)

'Men forget the Lord and indulge in sensual pleasures,
And therefore, diseases spring up in their bodies'

(Guru Nanak: Rag Malhar)

As per Guru the love of God is the love of humanity or the mankind or rather His entire creation.

God's creation is an expression of Himself. Religion is inspiration of love. The beloved is in His People and the service of People is the service of God and it is through unselfish service (Seva) that love (God) is realised.

'All those that are of God And Knoweth God, loveth;

He that loveth Not, knoweth not God, For God is love.'

(Guru Nanak)

Love means little, unless it is translated into action. Human beings, therefore, must engage themselves in the service of mankind, while following the path of earnest meditation. Human race is expected to seize every opportunity of helping his fellow beings and serving them in every possible way they can, without yearning for anything in return.

Guru reminds that to do this, his mind must be free from greed and attachment of power or riches or name or fame and he must have a truly humble heart.

The Object of Human Life

As per Guru, to realise God is the very object of life. And human life is the rare opportunity. So this precious span of man's life should not be fritted away without achieving the purpose for which it was created. We should give primary importance to speed up his glorious transformation. Everything else is to be considered as means to this end.

National Integration Day Nov 19
National Integration still a distant goal

By Lt Col R K Langar

The concept of National integration is a necessity for a country like India where customs transitions and languages differ from one part of country to the another. To achieve national integration for a country like India with so many diversities, it is absolutely essential that we as Indians derive a strong sense of belonging to India as one entity to off set strong attachment of people for their particular region and language. Thus far we have not been able to obtain worthwhile success in our aim of promoting national integration. We are still wanting recognition of our own community, sect, region and language in preference to our large interest of sense of belonging to India. People by and large are still demanding separate zones for themselves within the country to uphold their separate identity. Somehow we as Indians feel very secure and comfortable when people around us speak the same language and have the same set of customs as we have.

Despite the fact that India is strong in numbers, intellect and national resources Indians are not united. We are too involved in pursuits of our personal interests which has narrowed down our thinking and pushed national interest in the background in our scheme of things. Our political system survives on regionalism and finding faults in those who do not belong to one particular political party. This spreads hatred and results in disintegration of our country. In the process higher values of life which are the very foundation of Indian culture get ignored making national integration a difficult task. The progress that our country has made in the field of scientific inventions has moved us close to each other at physical level only. At the mental level we have not been able to break the self created artificial barriers which are found around us. Our spiritual ideal of oneness of humanity which has been acknowledged all over the world is neither well understood by Indians nor is seriously practised. This has further neglected promotion of national integration at all levels.

National integration cannot be achieved if we remain isolated within our own self. It is to be achieved by being a part of the society and by interaction with all types of persons and not only with those who belong to our community. A broad outlook is essential to bring about national integration because we have to push aside those forces within us which pull us apart from one another. The dislike for those who do not belong to own sect has to be substituted with love for all. We may remain within our well defined identities but still we can contribute towards national unity by working unbiased for the well being of others. We cannot have a mechanical approach towards national integration. The light of overall oneness with all is to be lit within us. If there is unconcern for others, we shall have a sense of separation. When there is feeling of tolerance and concern for others, national integration takes place automatically. To understand true meaning of national integration we have to widen our circle of acquaintances.

Study of Indian culture helps us to achieve national integration. The essence of Indian thought can be defined in the acceptance of the concept of Unity of Diversity. Indian culture emphasises on seeing harmony in contrasts. India as a country has a number of varieties in caste, language, religion and region. This is our national heritage and we should be proud of that and accept it as a means for self evolution. In Atharva Veda it is stated that India with its many diversities is like a wonderful cow standing firm and nourishing people with her milk. Inspite of repeated invasions which were launched against India in the past, India did not allow its culture to be diluted due to its national strength. We must draw inspiration from our past that unity does not mean uniformity. No two persons are ever alike. Even a single person in his average state of existence is not consistent with his behavioral pattern as he is influenced by a number of factors biological, psychological and environmental.

In order to draw people of different tendencies to a common like of thinking towards national unity, people have to be educated to rise above interstate, interlingual and interreligious differences and be an Indian first while perceiving oneness of all existence.

There is a need to re-emphasise national integration in the light of India's plural character. National Integration is one issue which stands above all other problems in the present time. National policy on national integration should be respected and put into practice by all political parties irrespective of their ideological differences. The Government at the centre must ensure that all regions within the country are equally developed. When that is done people belonging to a particular area would not feel neglected and would not raise their voice for their recognition. We all have certain amount of attachment to the place we are born and brought up. We are also attached to our language emotionally. Such feelings are very natural with human beings but these should not be encouraged to the extent that they become obstacles in managing national integration. People are to be educated to look beyond their region, language and customs.

To promote national integration special attention is required to be given to the weaker section of the society including those who are living below the poverty line. When the poor and weak are neglected they develop divisive tendencies.

National integration in the true sense is only possible when weaker section of the society is elevated to become strong. The society has to develop a caring attitude for the weak to uplift them. For achieving perfect national integration we have to address national issues like poverty, illiteracy, gender equality and the like to create harmony among the masses on the basis of equality.

Those who are educated and aware of the importance of national unity must remain committed to promote national integration and equality of human beings. Such people should become a part o national integration process and actively involved in bringing people together.

In the present era of globalization India has a major role to play to being about international integration on the solid foundation of higher values of life which India propagates and possess.

National integration has to be dealt with utmost attention at all levels in India to contribute towards world solidarity.

Packaging the economy

By Dr R L Bhat

Development and economy are admittedly the backbone of every progress. No development can take place without a robust economy and no economy can call itself healthy without the sustenance provided by an all round development. Indeed, the two are so closely related that they are often confused as being the same. People come to believe that development means a sound economy almost automatically. But it is not so. Economy is related to Development, depends upon it and is sustained by it. They are two complementary aspects of human progress. But development by itself does not assure a sound economy, nor promise to sustain it. Thus, we had the spectacle of a well-developed USSR becoming the fool of a failed economy. We have also the ghost of recession, i.e. economy in distress, haunting the most developed nations. And, the whole South America shows that development, which is not oriented towards a sustainable economy, soon fritters away the precious gains. While development is more than a healthy economy it is the latter, its soundness and strong base that really drives development.

Unfortunately the distinction and the imperatives of this are not always understood well. It is more so in the less developed areas and States that the confusion becomes detrimental if not fatal to the actual well being of the people. Take the most common example of electric supply. It is not enough to lay transmission lines, to install grids and transformers or even to build power stations. They must all be integrated in a viable economic module, where the production is increased, optimal utiliztion ensured and costs realised. Only then can be supplies by sustained and the development maintained. Electricity then becomes a contribution to economy, fosters growth and brings the expected development. Again, without the take off by hospitals and sustainable Medicare, the legions of doctors that we train have to look to other lands or other avenues of employment. Thousands of our engineers are already being forced to do that. Today when we speak of development and envisages schemes for realizing those fine goals, we have to keep that sustainability in mind. Or, else the wholesome schemes become bottomless pits that burden the State and end up being cesspools of corruption. They guzzle up the scarce resource without producing the desired results.

For economy to be sustainable, economic thinking must inform the policymaking. Without the economic support every increment in the standard of living backfires. The civic amenities though laid are not available, the services becomes skeletal and ultimately the standard of living itself falls. Today the nation realizes that for any development to be meaningful it has to be rooted in a robust economy. But somehow that understanding has not percolated well into this State. We are still thinking in terms of aids and grants, allocations and employments without endeavoring to make this State a viable proposition. There is talk again of a 'comprehensive economic package, but sops and succors are not the answer at all. The concept of development has moved from funds to investment. Money still is needed and solicited, but it has to be invested not eaten up. It has to become the engine of development not its fuel. Un-invested money, like the poor man's loan taken for the dear daughter's marriage consumed in a big bash, leaves the household deep in debt. There is no sustenance for the morrow there.

The poor man's economic applies as well to States and nations. Thus it is that investment and not aid is what the nations intent on development seek. FDI and not the IMF is the mantra for real progress. China is developing faster not because it has better schemes but because it is attracting more Foreign Direct Investment today than India. The schemes are still needed but these are schemes of investment of production and growth not sops and doles to be spread around. Ten years ago, India and China received the same amounts of international investments. Today, the foreign investments in Chinese economy are nearly five times as much as that in India. That happened because the Chinese oriented their thinking on economy. Even though Marx-Mao still rule the airs, the economy has all been handed over to the capitalism. And nobody is asking any questions. Not the communists at all. They are single-mindedly pursuing the economic goals, smoothening the way for investors and building their economy. India still continues to be bogged by the Marxist-communist hangover imbided from the same China. And, it lags behind. Well behind.

And, yonder still is this fine State of ours, which given its resource and potential should have been the first in the nation to become self-sustaining. The tourist potential alone would have made this State the jewel in the Indian crown. Add to it the forest resource, the potential of energy generation and you have the blue print for a total prosperity without any aids, grants or allocations. But the State chose the begging bowl instead of the builders trowel; instead of growth it chose the emotionalism. One has made it a veritable liability not only for the nation but the people themselves. At the last count each person, from the stooped - with-age adult to the crawling infant, had a per capita debt of almost the same quantum as the average income of a working person in the State. One can safely presume that debt to have grown even further before the new Government took over. The new Government is yet to formulate its policies but What little one has seen, it promises to further pile that debt not reduce it. Getting it written off is a fine respite but as long as no-nonsense economic thinking does not visit it, those debts would only pile up. And with emotionalism still running high there is little hope. Emotionalism has already bred the menace of terrorism. Today money that could have gone to bolster the economy goes to fight the mercenaries and marauders. And that is a sorry State of affairs for a people to develop to become self sufficient and free.